What is the primary focus of continuous medical monitoring in disaster situations?

The primary focus of continuous medical monitoring in disaster situations is to detect long-term health effects. This process is crucial as it involves tracking and assessing the ongoing health impacts that can arise due to exposure to various hazards during a disaster. Continuous monitoring enables healthcare providers to identify trends in health outcomes, understand the long-term consequences on affected populations, and implement appropriate interventions or treatments as needed.

In the context of disasters, immediate care is critical, but once the acute phase subsides, ongoing monitoring becomes key to understanding the broader health implications, such as chronic illness, mental health issues, and other conditions that may develop over time due to the disaster's effects. By focusing on long-term health effects, healthcare systems can better allocate resources, inform public health responses, and improve outcomes for individuals who have experienced a disaster.